Would You Like To Accept?

Hello, all!

We've all struggled with being too hard on ourselves at one time or another. Some more than others. It's important we learn to be our own biggest fan, not our biggest critic.

I'm certainly my own worst critic the majority of the time. Whether it's looks, eating habits, work, writing, I'm never stuck on finding something to criticize myself about.

We need to learn to ease up on the self-judgement and increase self-LOVE.

There's enough people that will criticize you and find something wrong with what you're doing or what you look like. The important thing is to not add on to that yourself.

With great self-LOVE, we learn to block out the negativity of others and keep our confidence in tact.

If we're just adding on to the criticism, we're holding ourselves back from accomplishing all the things we hope to accomplish.

We don't have to be hard on ourselves. We need to love ourselves.

I know that's so cliche. "Love yourself. You're perfect just the way you are."

But in reality, when you love yourself, you're so much happier, confident, strong, and intriguing.

Everyone has things they wish they could change about themselves. I sure do.

The important thing to learn is to accept the things you wish you could change... because you can't change them.

One of my favorite prayers is the Serenity Prayer. Whether you're religious or not, I think this can speak to everyone:

"Grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change.
The courage to change the things that I can.
And the wisdom to know the difference."

The last line is most important. The wisdom to know the difference between what you can and cannot change.

Sometimes, you just have to accept that you do things a certain way, or you look a certain way.

Some things shouldn't be changed. You shouldn't want to change certain things. You were made this way for a reason.

Instead of picking yourself apart, build yourself up.

Declare your mind a judgement free zone!

Don't judge yourself. Don't criticize yourself. And don't beat yourself up when you make a mistake.

Love yourself and you'll succeed.

Love yourself to love others!

Do you declare your mind a judgement free zone?

Love, the judgement free,
Christina Bracco
PERSONAL TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ChristinaBracc0

An Evening of Inspiration

Hi friends!

It's been another week full of fun things.

The most exciting thing that happened this week was attending An Evening of Awesome, hosted by John and Hank Green.

I'm a huge fans of the Greens. They're incredibly talented and inspirational men. Go check them out on YouTube! (Vlogbrothers)

Attending this evening was one of the most inspirational things I've experienced in a while.

The evening was all about celebrating things that we love, people that we love, and ourselves.

I was inspired by so many special guests that were there.

I was inspired by John Green and Neil Gaiman (that's right, NEIL GAIMAN) as a writer, to always write, read a lot, read broadly, and believe in my abilities.

I was inspired by a new band I've discovered called The Mountain Goats. This two-man powerhouse brought down the house with beautiful songs with beautiful messages.

I was most inspired by an AMAZING singer/songwriter named Kimya Dawson.

Kimya sang two amazing songs that are all about embracing our own spirit, creativity, and dreams. Songs about finding peace in humanity and within ourselves.

I was so touched by Kimya, she brought me to tears.

I write a lot on this blog about my hopes for humanity. I want to spread peace and love to people all over the world. No matter who you are or where you come from. I feel that Kimyas music really expressed my own thoughts and feelings on life.

I was unsure as to what I wanted to write about in this weeks blog until I attended An Evening of Awesome and heard Kimya.

I may say it a lot, but I feel strongly bout it.

We as people, NEED to learn to respect the way other people choose to live their lives. Sometimes, it's not even a choice.

It is THEIR life. Unless they are truly harming others or themselves, it shouldn't make a difference to you who they love, what they love to do, how they love to dress, what they love to eat, what they think is waiting for them on the other side, etc.

It's important for the sake of humanity, for everyone to respect each other. Judgement is unnecessary. There is no one on this planet who is better than anyone else.

I just felt this idea is important to share. If we really want to change the world, we need to learn how to RESPECT and LOVE each other.

I leave you with one of Kimya's songs. It's such a powerful piece and it really gets across the message that I'm trying to send with this weeks blog. Check it out! And be sure to find Kimya on Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube.

"I fight for equal rights, and I fight for inner peace"

So spread love. Hug the people you love. Tell them you love them. And respect people who don't share the same beliefs as you. 

This year is all about trying to spread my message of love and peace. Lets help each other! 

I love you all. Sending you all virtual hugs. 

Christina Bracco

PERSONAL TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ChristinaBracc0

You're Blessed! Are You Aware?

Good morning, friends!
(Well, good morning if you're on the east coast of the US!)

I hope everyone is doing well. This has been a whirlwind week for me!

I think we often get so caught up in the bad, that we forget to realize and appreciate all the good that comes our way!

Like, Monday. On Monday, I had the unfortunate mishap where I feel down the stairs in my house. I was home alone, there was no significant injury. Just a lot of pain. I sat on the last step to give myself a moment to recover, and then continued on my trip to the kitchen. I was in pain, but I pushed through and decided to walk outside to get the mail. When I checked my mail I found that I had finally received a postcard that I have been looking forward to receiving for a while!

You go through something tough, but you are greatly rewarded for pushing through the pain.

Are you aware in the good that comes after something bad? Are you present in it?

It may be something as little as receiving a postcard, but that little act of kindness from Him shows that you will be rewarded for your suffering.

One of my dreams came true this week. I still haven't fully recovered from the glorious experience, and I'm still sitting on cloud nine.

I won't share the experience with you all. Maybe just not yet. It's something so personally fulfilling, I don't want to taint it by taking away the intimacy and authenticity of it.

I'm just feeling completely blessed in the new year! I feel something BIG coming. This is going to be a BIG year for me. I'm sure of it.

You know when you just feel something in your bones? I feel it.
This year will be a year full of blessings and new/life-changing experiences.

In order to stay aware of all the good things that happen every day, (believe it or not-something good happens every day), I've decided to work on a little project for 2013.

I'm calling it my "2013 Journal Journey"!

 Every day, I write a journal entry on my computer about my day. The things that happened that day, how I felt, what I'm thinking about.

I plan on writing one entry every day for the year 2013. At the end of the year, I will print every page out and get it bound. A sort of book, if you will. And I will read it to myself.

Maybe i'll start doing it every year. A document of my life to keep with me forever.

It's amazing how much you forget as time goes by. Being able to keep it with you will keep your memories alive, and keep you aware.

I hope you all took something from this blog. I hope this inspires you to focus on the good things that happen to you every day.

I wish you all a great week. I'll be seeing one of my favorite authors on Tuesday. He's a huge inspiration to me so this is another blessing and dream come true.

Stay aware and stay grateful!
Christina Bracco
PERSONAL TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ChristinaBracc0

Tunnel Vision!

Welcome to 2013!

In honor of this being my first blog of a brand new year, I'd like to dedicate this post to my goal for 2013.

Focus.

That's right! For me, 2013 is all about FOCUS! 

What am I focusing on?

I'm focusing on mastering my creativity and achieving all the goals I have for myself. 

I am focused on finishing Odyssey by June! Maybe even earlier! I want my book completed by mid-way through the year. And I want to have it published (self-published or not) by the end of the year.

I also want to get an illustrator and start working towards publishing my first children's book. 

I want to continue to grow and advance in my poetry. I hope to write one poem a day and to NEVER be late to publish on my poetry blog on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

I have so many goals for 2013 and I can't wait to watch them come to life. I'm excited to document this process every week via the magic of this blog!

It's important to be dedicated and FOCUSED on the things you want. Write down your goals and work towards them every day!

2013 is all about mastering my craft. 

What is 2013 about for you? Are you focused on it?

Ask yourselves these questions and get cracking to make what you want happen!

I love you all. I believe in you all.

Christina Bracco

PERSONAL TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ChristinaBracc0